Buick Skylark won't start problems

Filed Apr 2, 2014 · Electrical · 54,000 miles · IN

Tl* the contact owns a 1997 buick skylark. The contact stated that the anti-theft system would activate independently, causing the vehicle to stall without warning. The failure was recurring with the illumination of the anti-theft warning light. The contact stated that the vehicle would not start with the key in the ignition. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic, who diagnosed that the instrument panel cluster or central computer would need to be replaced. The contact was then referred to an authorized dealer for possible repairs. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 54000.

Filed Apr 7, 2013 · Electrical · PA

On 11/14/2012 I bought an excide car battery from national auto in bangor, pa. Battery ran for about 2 mos. Then started to give me problems. After sitting for 2 days it would not start. Had car battery jumped 3 times. Between 01/ 2013 and 02/ 10/2013. Battery completely dead on 02/11/2013. Was put on slow charge and ran for another 2 days and died again. Took battery back to national auto on 02/17/2013. Before taking it there I had alternator, starter and wires checked .. Everything ok.. Returned to store. Service person checked it and said battery was charged...told him impossible because it was dead in car and we just took it out. He gave me another battery. Worked fine until palm sunday...dead battery...aaa came out and jumped car...worked until 04/04/2013. Called car stop about problem....guy sent out.. He checked battery output only 10...need 12 volts to start car. Also had starter and alternator checked again...no problems there. Took car to shop next day...new battery installed. Called national auto about problem....told to bring it back... I did so this morning 04/07/2013 and was told that since it is holding a charge he can't give me my money back...I told him " what am I suppose to do with 2 batteries" told me to bring it back when store manager is there on tues am or wed. I am a 68 yr old senior woman...I feel like I am being taken advantage of. Why should I have to keep going back...I do not have an extra hundred dollars to spend just to let battery sit in cellar. I want my money back. I am not the first person to have problems with this brand battery.

Filed Nov 5, 2009 · Electrical · 155,000 miles · TN

The car had been stalling for more than a year but not as frequent. The most dangerous time it stalled was in the middle of interstate 240n. My wife and child was with me. It was rush hour and there were lots of traffic. We were terrified! Once I merged over to the side of the highway, we had to wait for about 20 minutes before the car started again. Mind you, we are on the side of a busy and dangerous interstate highway. I noticed when I tried to start the car after it had stalled, the theft system light was flashing. I had no idea why the theft system light was flashing or if it had anything to do with the car not starting. I called a technician I know and explained to him that the car sounded like it was to start but keep stalling. He asked me to look at the dash and tell him what I saw. The theft system light was flashing, it remained on for a while, then it went out after about 15 minutes. He told me to try to start the car again. It started. This (the car stalls, wait awhile, then it starts) went on for awhile. On september 15, 2009, I went out to start the car to take my child to school and the car would not start. To this day, I can not get my car to start and the theft system light is still flashing. There are several people I know who own buick skylarks and are having similar problems with the theft system. Some have gotten several things replaced such as the key, the switch, etc and have yet to have this problem corrected. It seems to be a problem with the buick skylarks theft system manufactured around 1997! Is there anything being done or will there be something done to correct this problem? This could cause serious injuries and/or deaths!

Filed Sep 20, 2007 · Electrical · 98,000 miles · NH

While on vacation we took a trip. On the way home at night all electricity devices started to die. I got off the highway the vehicle died and wouldn't start. I had it towed home and it hasn't started since. I turn the key and get nothing. When I turn the key on, the passlock system light is lit and never goes out. The battery is fully charged and I can start the car if I jump the starter but not from the key. All other electrical devices work fine.

Filed Mar 8, 2004 · Electrical · 82,000 miles · WV

Consumer complained about ignition switch problem. When turning the key vehicle will not start.

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · 95,280 miles · WV

This problem is happening more frequently now I can go out to the car and it won't start. I can wait a few hours or so and it will start right up. The first time this happened I had it towed to the mechanic, the day it was towed in it wouldn't start for him either. The next day and the days following that it fired up each and every time he kept it from mon-fri, he could not duplicate the problem. He did the diagnostic test it showed nothing wrong with it. I called two buick dealers, they told me if the car doesn't break down and stay broken down they can't tell me whats wrong because the problem is too intermittent. Before all this started that ets off light was coming on and staying on and the car would stall out on me, now its not doing that anymore, but I noticed something when I'm putting the car into reverse from park I noticed that the ets off light blinks. Please help me if you can, I don't know what to do. And sometimes it stays on. The fuel pump seems to be working. I have had it looked at twice and no one can find anything wrong with it.

Filed Jul 10, 2002 · Electrical · NC

Vehicle was serviced for the federal safety agency recall 02-v-070-000 / manufacturer's recall 02008 concerning ignition system. Two months later, after recall was serviced problem reoccurred. When key is turned in on position engine makes a clicking sound but doesn't start. Also. Each time after repairs / before leaving dealer or once vehicle is turned off it will not restart. Foger buick; 5701 e independence blvd, chalotte, nc. 28212 added an ignition module. Please provide more information.

Filed Jul 9, 2002 · Body, Electrical · OH

After recall notification the consumer vehicle would not start, the vehicle was towed to the dealer where the battery was replaced and recall 02v‑070 was performed on the ingnition switch, the next day the battery was dead again, the consumer took the vehicle to an independent mechanic who found that the door lock switch was sticking causing a draw which drained the new battery. Nlm

Filed Jan 23, 2001 · Electrical, Fuel system · FL

At 28,000 miles vehicle had an intermittent restarting problem. Vehicle been to an independent repair shop on two occasions, and at a dealer shop on two occasions, and both were unable to locate cause of problem. *ak the vehicle would not start several times. Dealer replaced the alternator, fuel system but did not correct the problem. The computer and cluster are now being repaired as a cause of stalling. Intake manifold gasket is leaking.

Filed Sep 22, 1999 · Electrical · IL · fire

Ie99096, the vehicle had a no start condition, and white smoke came from the steering column. As result, it started an electrical fire and caused major damages. This began after third attempt to crank vehicle. Within several minutes vehicle was in flames.